Hello~
I hope everyone is well!
Here's the next one! The grand finale!
The end of the Zabuza and Haku Arc
~.~
Last Time:
Man, are they still training?" Sakura asked.
"Yup," I said.
"You pushed them too far," Kakashi sighed.
"That's okay," I said as I ate my dinner, "As long as they don't puke on me again, I don't care."
"So, you're the one playing the violin in the middle of the night?" Tazuna asked me.
When they came back, they caught me in the middle of playing.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry," I said.
"Oh, no, it was lovely," Tsunami told me.
"No need to apologize," Tazuna told me.
I nervously laughed, getting embarrassed.
"You did this to yourself," Kakashi whispered to me.
"Shut up," I said, getting up to put my dishes in the sink.
The front door opened.
"We made it to the top," Naruto panted.
Sasuke smirked. The Uchiha was holding the Uzumaki up. I gave them a thumbs up.
"Good work, tomorrow you guys can help guard Tazuna," Kakashi told them.
I started walking over to the sink. Naruto fist pumped, jumping into the air, causing both boys to fall over me. I swiftly dodged, before they could both fall on me.
"Be careful," I said, putting my dishes in the sink.
"I'm going to bed early, don't puke again, but eat plenty, and blah night," I said, walking upstairs.
"Naruto's not up?" I asked.
It was the next morning, we were all downstairs except Naruto.
"Too much training from yesterday, he's knocked out cold," Kakashi told me.
I nodded, serves him right. By now, my injuries were pretty much healed. We all waved goodbye to Tsunami and Inari before walking with Tazuna to the bridge.
"Kyoko-Nee-chan!" Inari called out.
"Why are you calling me that for? Just call me Kyoko," I told him.
"But, you're my Nee-chan," he said.
I sighed, "Fine, fine. Call me whatever," I told him, making him smile.
"Kyoko-Nee, when you come back, can you show me more Jutsu?" He asked me.
I patted his head.
"Sure," I said, before walking away with everyone else.
"You like kids," Sasuke said, breaking the silence.
"This one just won't leave me alone after I was nice," I told him, "I now know never to do that again."
We soon arrived at the bridge but there were no workers there.
"What's going on?" Tazuna asked.
A thick mist started to form. Kakashi pushed his headband up to reveal his Sharingan. Me, Sasuke and Sakura surrounded Tazuna. Zabuza appeared from the mist, this time with the masked ninja.
"Haku, right?" I asked.
He removed his mask to show his face before putting it back.
"Correct," he said.
He conversed with Zabuza before stepping up. I took a a step up, noticing that Sasuke did too.
'Looks can be deceiving,' Fuzen warned.
'Yeah, I know. I thought he was a girl, twice,' I joked, at the same time I was nervous about Fuzen popping in.
'...you know what I mean, idiot,' Fuzen sighed.
We conversed about how our prediction was true, about how Haku was working with Zabuza and that Zabuza was still alive. No surprise to us.
"I'll take Haku," Both me and Sasuke said at the same time.
We gave each other a look before nodding.
'Guess I shouldn't be surprised,' I thought.
"The youths on this team are impressive," Haku commented, "Even though those Water Clones have only 1/10th the strength of their original...to think they fought that well."
"However, you made the preemptive move," Zabuza said, "Go."
"Right," Haku nodded, quickly running after us.
"What the?" I commented, but readied my stance.
Haku was spinning like a top, twirling after us.
'Alright, don't hold back,' I thought, getting ready for battle.
Before I could clash with Haku, Sasuke jumped in front of me. Haku, using senbon needles, clashed against Sasuke's Kunai.
'...you gotta be the hero, don't you?' I thought in a bit of annoyance.
"Sakura, surround Tazuna and don't move away from me," Kakashi told her.
"Right," Sakura nodded, getting in position.
"Let Sasuke and Kyoko handle Haku," Kakashi said to Sakura, but gave me a quick glance.
I nodded at him.
'Don't be reckless this time, focus on your own fight,' I thought.
I watched the two boys fight, their weapons clashing against each other. For now, I was Sasuke's backup.
"I don't want to have to kill you," Haku said, "I'd like for you two to back down."
"Nonsense," Sasuke said.
"I knew it," Haku sighed, "But you won't be able to keep up with my speed."
'You think so?' I thought, activating my Jikangan.
'Remember how much Chakra that takes up,' Fuzen warned me.
"Also, I've already made two preemptive moves," Haku informed.
"Two preemptive moves?" Sasuke questioned.
"The first one is the scattered water," Haku said, "The second is blocking one of your hands. Therefore, you'll just be able to defend my attack."
He held a hand sign, using one hand.
"What?" I questioned, he couldn't possibly do anything with one hand, right?
Haku started making multiple hand signs with one hand.
"Shit!" I cursed, quickly moving for an attack before Haku finished.
But I was too late.
"A thousand needles of Death!" Haku said, taking a step onto the water, causing the water to rise.
The water formed into thousands of needles, surrounding us.
'This...this is similar to my State of matter! My water manipulation!' I thought, holding up a hand sign, ready for the attack.
The moment Haku backed off, the needles went after us all at once.
I planned to use the water on the ground to create an ice shield, but from what I had foresaw, I wasn't gonna be fast enough. I foresaw Sasuke jumping into the air at the right time, so I did the same.
Sasuke attacked with throwing weapons in the air, which Haku swiflty dodged.
Sasuke quickly appeared behind Haku, "You're surprisingly stupid," Sasuke told him, "From here on, you'll only defend my attack!"
They started clashing again, Sasuke successfully landing a kick onto Haku.
"It seems that I'm faster than you," Sasuke mocked.
'You're not doing anything~' Fuzen commented.
'I'm his backup, if he slips up, I can cover him,' I told them, 'And no,' I said, before they could suggest the take over.
'You really aren't fun.'
Haku stood up, and we felt a weird surge of chakra from him.
"How unfortunate," Haku said.
"Is this...cold air?" Sasuke questioned.
Haku had created some kind of ice mirror dome, it wasn't completely packed together and closed off, the mirrors were floating in the air.
"Hidden Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!" Haku said.
The mirrors started to glow as he walked into one. His image reflected on all the mirrors.
"What in the world...?" I said, looking around.
"Shit," Kakashi said, running to save us.
But Zabuza quickly blocked his path.
"I'm your opponent, aren't I?" Zabuza said, "Unfortunately, for those two, since that Jutsu has appeared, they're done for."
"Now then, I'll start," Haku said.
Sasuke and I were back to back, ready for an attack.
"I shall show you my true speed!" Haku said, readying his stance with senbon needles in each hand.
Needles from random mirrors shot at us. I was able to foresee the needles, dodging and blocking them with my kunai. I tried to block some attacks that were aimed at Sasuke, but I wasn't quick enough to do so.
"Shit," I cursed.
"Sasuke! Kyoko!" I heard Kakashi call out.
The attacks got faster, so fast my Jikangan couldn't catch up.
Me and Sasuke shouted in pain as we were getting impaled and cut up with needles. One of the needles aimed to knock our weapons out of our hands, which he successfully done. One of them spiraled into the air and landed at Sakura's feet.
We tried to shield ourselve best we could. With the speed Haku was going at, I couldn't create a shield. Blood was seeping out of our cuts. We couldn't do anything but shield ourselves with our arms. We continued to shout in pain.
'I just need a moment, then I can create some sort of shield,' I thought, 'But I don't know how long it would last..'
I knew Kakashi wouldn't be able to save us.
Sakura grabbed the kunai at her feet and jumped into the air, throwing the weapon in hopes to save us.
Unfortunately, Haku had easily caught it. But that had cause him to stop.
I went to create a shield, but I could hardly move. I looked over at Sasuke, we were in the same state. Cut up, bleeding, and paralyzed. We both collapsed, but we were still conscious.
'Come on, move! I can't be useless here. I need to protect us!' I thought, trying to move.
Before Haku could say or do anything, a shuriken hit him, creating a scratch on his mask, causing him to fall out of the mirror and flat on his face.
A puff of smoke revealed our knuckle head ninja.
"Uzumaki Naruto is finally here!" Naruto smirked.
"...show off," I said with a slight smile.
"The hero of a story generally appears in this kind of situation and takes out the enemy in no time!" Naruto exclaimed dramatically.
'...of course,' I sighed.
"All right, here I go!" Naruto exclaimed, forming a hand symbol, "Shadow Clone Juts-"
"Get out of the way, Naruto!" Kakashi shouted.
Zabuza had thrown shurikens at Naruto's direction.
Naruto hesitated, but was luckily saved by Haku who had thrown senbon needles to block the shurikens, surprising everyone.
As Kakashi started to lecture him, I struggled to sit up. I couldn't form hand signs laying on the ground.
"Haku, what are you doing?" Zabuza asked.
"Zabuza, leave this kid to me," Haku said, "Please let me fight this battle my way."
Haku faced Naruto.
'What's going on?' I questioned, watching them.
"So you mean no interfering, Haku?" Zabuza said.
To that, Haku said nothing.
"You're naive, as usual." Zabuza said.
"...I'm sorry," Haku said.
I was able to bring myself to my knees and began to help Sasuke up as well.
I noticed something though, 'No vital areas were targeted...Haku could've easily hit our vital areas at any time, but didnt...'
"Are you okay?" I asked Sasuke.
"Yeah," he nodded as he allowed me to help him to his knees.
"I'm gonna take you out first!" Naruto shouted at Haku.
'Stupid,' I thought.
I noticed Kakashi had a conflicted expression. He couldn't leave, or else Zabuza will kill Tazuna and Sakura.
"That mask..." Naruto noticed, "You were Zabuza's comrade after all, weren't you?"
'I thought already said that, Naruto,' I sighed.
"You've got some nerve to deceive us!" Naruto shouted angrily.
"I'm sorry," Haku apologized, "But, your teacher also said it, didn't he? Things like deceiving and catching one off guard is a Shinobi's duty. Please don't take it personally."
"This guy is really conflicting," I said, watching the two converse.
Sasuke, taking this moment, threw a kunai at Haku.
Haku swiftly dodged, just moving his head so that the kunai would fly by him.
"I haven't forgotten about you two," Haku said without facing us.
I bit my lip nervously.
"I would rather you had just gone down quietly," Haku said, facing us, "But it looks like it won't work that way. I'll put an end to it first."
Haku walked back over to the mirror.
"Shit!" I cursed, holding a hand sign, "Time Jutsu: State of Matter."
The water started to move. I moved my hands above me, trying to get the water to float above us.
"Come on, come on!" I said through gritted teeth.
Sasuke kept an eye on Haku, thinking he knew where the real body was.
"I'm over here," a voice behind us called.
Haku had teleported to the mirror behind us.
I was still slightly paralyzed, so the water could only move as fast as I was.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke said, he tried melting the mirrors of ice.
Haku appeared in all the mirrors.
I knew another array of senbon were gonna come down on us.
"Freeze!" I shouted, I was only able to make a wall of ice on the right side of us.
Once again, we were attacked by thousands of needles. Once the attack stopped, me and Sasuke were back down on the ground.
"Sasuke! Kyoko!" Sakura and Naruto shouted.
'Let me-'
'No!' I shouted at them.
I slowly sat up.
"We have to attack from the inside while Naruto attacks from the outside," Sasuke told me, "So-"
"Yo!"
We both turned to see the blonde in the ice dome with us.
"I snuck in to save you guys!" Naruto smiled.
"...you idiot..." I sighed.
Naruto and Sasuke started to quarrel.
'...I don't know what I'm suppose to feel, but I'm so embarrassed,' I thought.
"...I..." I looked at Haku...s...the mirrors, "I'm so sorry."
"Your team mates are quite...interesting," Haku commented.
Sasuke forced himself up, "Since it's come to this, all that's left is to smash the mirrors!"
I knew what he was getting at. Ignoring the pain, I forced myself up as well.
We were back to back and formed the same hand signs.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" We said at the same time, fire coming out of our mouths.
Haku continued his attack, I tried my best to shield myself.
To our surprise, the ice mirrors didn't melt at all.
"They won't melt with that level of firepower," Haku told us.
"Together then," I said, now side by side with Sasuke.
We did the Fireball Jutsu once more, but unfortunately it didn't melt.
"Seriously?" I said in surprise, "Not even our powers combined?"
The mirrors glowed once more and another array of needles shot at us. Naruto now included. We all cried out in pain. The attack stopped and we were back on the ground.
'Ignore the pain,'I thought, sitting up as quick as I could, 'How's everyone holding up?'
Naruto joined the porcupine squad, but was okay. Sasuke wasn't looking to good.
I manipulated the water and was able to create a half dome of ice in front of us.
"That's not enough!" Sasuke told me.
"I'm trying!" I shouted at him.
"Where is he attacking from?" Naruto asked, "Are they clones? Where's the real body?!"
"It's useless for you to even attempt following with your eyes," Haku told him, "I absolutely will not be caught."
"Shadow clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted, making multiple clones of himself.
"Don't!" Sasuke shouted, unfortunately too late to stop him.
"If so, I'll find out which is the real body by hitting them all!" Naruto exclaimed as each clone went to a mirror.
In a blink of an eye, Haku was able to move, mirror to mirror, taking out each clone.
Naruto, who was also hit, fell to the ground.
"This is a teleportation Jutsu that uses mirrors that can reflect only my image," Haku explained, "Watching you from the speed I move, it almost seems as if you aren't moving at all."
"That move...is that a Kekkei Genkai?" Kakashi asked, earning a laugh from Zabuza.
"Kekkei Genkai?" I questioned with wide eyes, "Water manipulation, being able to move at that kind of speed...H-Haku what kind of Kekkei Genkai is this? Is it the same as mine?" I asked, pointing at my clock eye.
"I've never seen that before," Haku told me, "I'm sorry, mine is different from yours."
"...damn..." I said.
'Even if it were to be the same, we couldn't stop the fight and talk about it,' I thought.
"Kyoko, can you manipulate the mirrors?" Sasuke asked.
I shook my head, "It's a special Kekkei Genkai, Kakashi's Sharingan can't even copy it. I won't be able to manipulate it...might be the reason why I'm having trouble manipulating the water around us, it was set up by Haku after all."
'You look tired, why not give me a turn?' Fuzen asked.
'Never,' I told them.
"I can't die here yet," Naruto said, "'Cause I have a dream that I must turn into reality. The dream to have my strength recognized by everyone in the village and become the Hokage!"
'Now's not the time for another Hokage speech,' I thought.
"For me, becoming a Shinobi completely is difficult," Haku said, "If I can, I don't want to kill you guys...and I don't want to get killed by you guys...but, if you guys are going to come at me, I'll kill my feelings and completely become a Shinobi."
'That's what you're suppose to do as a Shinobi,' I thought, 'Conceal all your emotions.'
"This bridge is the battleground that connects each of us to our dreams," Haku said, "I, for the sake of my dream. And you, for the sake of your dreams...please don't hold it against me. I want to protect the person dear to me. I work for the sake of that person, I fight for that person, and I want to make that person's dream a reality. That is my dream. For the sake of the dream, I will completely become a Shinobi, and kill you guys!"
Another array of needles came down on us.
'Are you sure you don't wanna switch out?' Fuzen asked.
'I don't need you,' I told them.
"Don't loose to a guy like him!" Sakura called out.
'Okay, breath,' I thought to myself, 'Think, we can't depend on Kakashi on this.'
I noticed that Kakashi and Zabuza had started their fight.
Naruto, once again, did his Shadow Clone Jutsu, it resulted in the same results. But this time, I foresaw Haku taking a moment to throw senbon needles at me and Sasuke.
I quickly grabbed Sasuke and went behind the ice wall, blocking that one attack.
I had noticed the water move as Haku moved from mirror to mirror.
Sasuke must've noticed too, when Naruto performed the Clone Jutsu again, Sasuke kicked the water into the air. As I quickly performed my Water Wave Jutsu in the air. Not at it's full power.
'My Jikangan alone can't keep up, but maybe with the water movements, it can help,' I thought.
"Don't you understand that it's useless?" Haku questioned.
As Haku moved, mirror to mirror, the water droplets in the air moved. I'm not sure if Haku caught on with our thoughts, or just wanted to attack us, but we were hit once again with an array of senbon. Once again, we were on the ground.
'Just because we can see the trail, doesn't mean we can keep up,' I thought, 'Come on, think!'
A thick fog started to form.
"...alright, Zabuza, I'll finish them off," Haku said.
'"This is a teleportation Jutsu that uses mirrors that can reflect only my image," Haku explained, "Watching you from the speed I move, it almost seems as if you aren't moving at all."' I remembered Haku saying.
"That's it!" I said.
At the right time, Naruto did his Shadow Clone Jutsu again.
"Sasuke, perform your Fireball Jutsu, just do it," I told him before performing some hand signs, "Time Jutsu: Freeze Time!"
Everything around me froze.
Well, it seemed like they weren't moving at all. But I was moving at Haku's speed. I noticed Haku, attacking Naruto and I jumped up to kick him.
"What?" Haku questioned as I kicked him, aiming to get him into Sasuke's Fireball Jutsu.
He quickly dodged Sasuke's attack.
"Damn it!" I cursed.
I foresaw Sasuke performing the Jutsu once more, so I took another chance to try and kick Haku into the attack. But I stopped, realizing that Sasuke was really close to where Haku was going.
'Bit by bit, he's figuring out the timing...' I thought.
I had to cancel my Jutsu, as well as my Jikangan, it took up too much of my Chakra.
I dropped to my knees, trying to control my breathing, letting out shaky breaths. Naruto came up to me.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded.
Shadow Clone Jutsu takes up a lot of Chakra. But thanks to that, Sasuke was able to that, it seems like Sasuke had Figured something out. Naruto looked like he was at his limit, so did Sasuke. I didn't wanna know what I looked like. I tried to stand up, almost falling to my knees. The mirrors glowed again. Sasuke quickly made hand signs.
"Naruto run!" He told him, "Take Kyoko and run out of here! Attack from the outside!"
"A-Alright!" Naruto nodded, throwing one of my arms over his shoulders.
He tried to run out with me, but we were stopped by Haku. We both fell to the ground.
"Naruto, you run out alone. I'm just gonna be extra weight," I told him, "I'll be fine."
"No-"
"Listen to me for once," I told him, "Remember that arm wrestle? I won, I'm using that win. You're gonna listen to me right now!"
He hesitated, "F-Fine!"
Naruto ran once more.
Sasuke performed his Fireball Jutsu once more, aiming as if he knew where Haku was going to be.
Sasuke was close, Haku had dodged and impaled Sasuke with a needle, causing him to stop the Fireball. Haku also stopped Naruto from running out, throwing him back to the middle of the dome.
Sasuke ripped the needle out.
"Kyoko," He said.
I simply nodded, I understood what he had figured out.
"I'll help," I said, standing up.
"We're doing it one more time," Sasuke said to Naruto.
"Alright," Naruto nodded.
Naruto ran again.
Before we could attack, Haku decided to attack us first.
We shouted in pain as needles embedded into our bodies.
"Sasuke! Kyoko!" Naruto shouted, only to also get attacked.
We heard Sakura scream.
"Shit! That was Sakura's voice!" I shouted, "What's Kakashi doing?"
I heard Naruto laugh for a moment
"I-I'll do something about it..." Naruto said, "Here I go!
A surge of Chakra emitted from him. He ran, and was blocked by Haku. Naruto ran around the dome as Haku followed through the mirrors.
"Naruto, behind you!" Sasuke shouted.
Naruto couldn't dodge Haku's attack. Impaled by more needles, he fell to the ground.
"Naruto!" I exclaimed.
"It's impossible for you to get out of here," Haku told us, "I mean it."
"Can you stand, Naruto?" I asked, trying to help him sit up.
"Y-Yeah," He said.
"From now on, don't waste your Chakra! You're playing right into his hands!" Sasuke scolded.
I noticed that Haku wasn't attacking from all angles, he was attacking from one mirror. He was just incredibly fast to the point were we couldn't predict where he was gonna attack.
'Alright, once more,' I thought, activating my Jikangan.
"It's about time I put an end to this for you," Haku said.
Naruto still couldn't get up.
Haku threw senbon needles at Sasuke, who was the only one standing at the moment.
"Sasuke!" I shouted.
To my surprise, Sasuke had deflected all the needles.
"What?!" Me and Haku said in surprise.
Sasuke fell down to one knee, still in pain.
"..he's aiming for the vital spots now," I told Sasuke, "Be careful."
"Stand up!" Sasuke told us.
"Come on, Naruto," I said, trying to get him to stand.
He could only sit up.
Haku attacked once more, Sasuke was able to deflect them, while covering us.
"...is it activated?" I questioned.
I stood up, back to back once more, this time Naruto in the middle.
Attacks came once more, and both me and Sasuke deflected the needles while trying to cover for Naruto. We earned some needles, but blocked off most of it.
"Naruto, don't faint! We can't take care of you any more than we are now!" Sasuke told him.
I looked over at Naruto. His eyes were half closed and he looked like he would fall over at any moment.
"Naruto!" I shouted as he fell over.
"Damn it!" Sasuke cursed.
"Time Jutsu: Pause," I said, holding my hands out.
The needles that aimed at me froze in mid air while Sasuke blocked the ones aimed at him. I waited for Haku to attack again. I turned the senbon that froze in the air around to attack him. I managed to block most of the other needles, but wasn't able to get him.
I was panting heavily. I felt dizzy and nauseous.
"Kyoko!" Sasuke shouted.
"I'm okay!" I shouted back, my Jikangan deactivating.
'Shit,' I cursed.
"I'm gonna finish you guys off with this," Haku said.
I felt Sasuke grab my arm. He pulled me with him, as he grabbed Naruto with his other arm. He jumped, dodging a vital attack.
I was on my knees, panting. Sasuke dropped Naruto onto the ground.
"...h-how?" I looked up and gasped, "Sasuke!"
He looked up at Haku with piercing red eyes.
"Your Sharingan activated!" I gasped.
'If only it activated earlier, combined with my Jikangan,' I thought.
"Alright," I stood up, "Jikangan!" I activated, only to get even dizzier.
"...shit...I'm sorry...Sasuke," I said before blacking out.
~.~
"Kyoko!" Sasuke shouted, catching her as she fell towards him.
He placed he down next to Naruto and faced Haku alone.
Haku went to attack Kyoko and Naruto, instead of Sasuke.
'Shit!' Sasuke quickly ran after Haku, 'Please, let me make it in time!'
~.~
I heard someone cry out in pain, brining me back. I saw Sasuke in front of me, dripping with blood, every part of his body had a needle bedded into his skin. I notice that he was there to protect me and Naruto.
"Sasuke...why did you do that?"
I looked behind me to see Naruto awake.
Sasuke chuckled.
"I don't even know why..." He said, "My body moved...on it's own accord..."
He fell, I quickly caught him.
"Sasuke...you idiot! You took too many needles already," I told him.
"It was either to protect myself, of protect the two of you..." Sasuke said weakly, "Naruto."
Naruto came closer to him.
"The person...who I needed to kill...is my brother...," Sasuke told him, "I thought I would be able to do that...and restore my clan...but it looks like I can't."
'Wait...what are you saying?' I looked down at him in my arms.
"Naruto...Kyoko...live on," he said before falling limp in my arms.
'No...Sasuke...no no no! Sasuke no! Y-you're not dead! You are not dead!' Thoughts of disbelief clouded up my mind.
I paid no attention the the world around me, I was focused on the Uchiha who was laying on me. I removed a piece of his hair gently out of his face. I pulled out all the senbons carefully.
"Sasuke..." I looked at him, "He's dead...he really is...gone..."
A large surge of chakra filled the air. I looked up and saw Naruto.
My eyes widened.
'...w-where did this surge of Chakra come from?' I thought as the chakra caused debris to fly around us.
Needles popped off his body. Naruto's injuries were healed.
'This sinister Chakra...it's the Ninetail's!' I realized.
"I'm gonna kill you!" Naruto shouted at Haku.
I covered Sasuke with my body as Naruto landed a powerful punch at Haku. The mirrors around us cracked and fell apart.
I looked down at Sasuke. I felt weak, I tried my best but I couldn't protect Sasuke.
I looked over to Kakashi. The mist had disappeared and I could see Zabuza with a bunch of dogs holding him in place.
Kakashi held his right hand, you could see blue chakra surrounding his right hand. It looked like blue electricity surrounding his hand. It crackled, making the sound of a thousand birds.
"Chidori..." I said, watching him lunge at Zabuza.
Right before Kakashi hit him, Haku stood in front of Zabuza, taking the hit for him. My eyes widened in surprise.
'what...the hell?' Right in front of me, is Kakashi's hand in Haku's heart.
Haku held Kakashi in place as Zabuza took that moment to raise his sword.
'He intends to kill Kakashi along with Haku?!' My eyes widened, 'K-Kakashi.'
"Kakashi!" I shouted.
Kakashi jumped, bringing Haku along with him, dodging the attack.
"Haku died and you were able to move, huh?" Zabuza laughed.
"I..I won't forgive you!" Naruto shouted.
"Naruto!" Kakashi shouted, "You just stay there and watch!"
Kakashi laid Haku on the ground, closing his eyes.
I saw Sakura run up to me, with Tazuna running close behind her. She stopped to look at Sasuke. I looked down, ashamed that I couldn't prevent this from happening.
"...I-I'm sorry," I told her.
"No..no way," Sakura dropped to her knees.
She caressed his cheek, "He's cold...this isn't Genjutsu...is it?"
"...I'm sorry," I told her again.
"...don't mind me," Tazuna said, "This isn't the time to hold back your emotions..."
"I-I always got perfect scores back at the Ninja Academy," Sakura said, "I memorized all the hundreds of Shinobi rules. All the tests were a breeze...until one day this question came up...State Rule #25 of the ways of the Shinobi...as always, I simply wrote down the answer without batting an eye..." Tears started streaming down her face, "A Shinobi must never show their true feelings under any circumstance, no matter what...the mission always comes first. A Ninja must have the strength of character never to shed any tears..."
Sakura started crying into Sasuke's chest. Tazuna looked at us sadly. He probably thinks this is his fault, if he didn't lie about the mission, than this wouldn't have happened. But it wasn't his fault, he was poor, the while village was because of Gatou.
'...this is Gatou's fault,' I thought to myself, 'But if I was stronger, then I would have been able to protect him...why am I so weak?'
A tear fell from my eyes to Sasuke's cheek. I wiped it off.
'...so this...is what it feels like to loose someone,' I thought.
He looked so peaceful, as if he was sleeping.
I closed my eyes in touched foreheads with him.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered.
I traced his facial features with my finger tips and ended up at his neck. My eyed widened.
"...last time I checked...dead people didn't have heart beats..." I said quietly.
I looked at his face. He looked like he was going to wake up.
'...Haku had no intention of killing us, he just send Sasuke into a near death state, like he did to Zabuza...' I realized.
"Sakura...get off, you're heavy," Sasuke grunted, moving his arm to lightly push her off.
Sakura's eyes widened.
"Sasuke!" She hugged him.
He sighed in annoyance. I looked at him. A part of me healed and sadness was replaced with relief and happiness. Sasuke looked at me after Sakura removed herself.
"...are you crying?" He asked me, wiping a tear from my face.
"...shut up, I'm not crying," I told him, pushing his hand away, "...that was sweat you just wiped off."
"I didn't think you would care enough to cry over me," he teased.
"Why would anyone, except Sakura, cry over you?" I stood up.
I looked over at Kakashi. Zabuza seemed to have no use of his arms, his sword was across the bridge.
"Oh! You really got it this time!" A voice was hear.
A short man, who I never thought would show himself came up with an army of armed, strong men.
"You disappoint me, Zabuza," Gatou said.
"Gatou..." I said, glaring at him.
He was the reason why we almost died, he's the reason why Haku died, he's the reason why Sasuke almost died, he made this town go into poverty.
"Our strategy has changed," Gatou said, "Sorry, Zabuza, but you will die here."
"What?" Zabuza glared.
"Since hiring a regular Shinobi costs a lot of money," Gatou said, "I hired Rouge Ninjas like you. And, it would have been even more ideal. To save my money and effort if Ninja – to – Ninja battles ended in each killing the other off."
"Well, you are certainly not worthy of being called the Demon of the Hidden Mist Village. If you were to ask me, you're just a cute little demon!" Gatou laughed.
"...Kakashi, I apologize, our fight ends here," Zabuza said, "As long as my reason to take down Tazuna is gone, there is no reason to fight you either."
Gatou walked over to where Haku laid, "That reminds me..." He said, "I owe this one something, he squeezed my arm 'til it broke," He said, then kicked the corpse, "Huh, he's dead," Gatou said, poking Haku's cheek with his cane.
"Bastard!" Naruto shouted, "What do you think you're doing?!"
He started running over to Gatou
"Naruto, don't!" I shouted.
Luckily, he was caught by Kakashi.
"Stop! Don't act so recklessly!" Kakashi scolded.
'One move with your sword and he's dead,' Fuzen told me.
'Shut it,' I told them.
"You say something too! He was your comrade, right?" Naruto questioned Zabuza.
"Shut up, punk. Haku is already dead," Zabuza.
"What? Don't you feel anything watching him do that?!" Naruto asked, "Weren't you with Haku for a long time!?"
"As Gatou used me...I was simply using Haku," Zabuza said, "I thought I told you, we Shinobi are merely tools. What I wanted were his skills, not Haku himself. I have no regrets."
"Do you...do you really mean that?" Naruto asked.
"There's no need to fight him anymore...besides," Zabuza sighed.
"Shut up!" Naruto shouted, "My enemy is still this one!" he pointed at Zabuza, "He...he really liked you! He liked you so much, he dedicated his entire life for you! Even so, don't you feel anything at all?" he cried, "He threw his life away for you! He didn't even fulfill his own dreams and yet...he died as a tool!"
"Kid..." Zabuza started, "Don't say anything anymore..."
My eyes widened to see Zabuza crying.
"He wasn't just thinking of me," Zabuza said, "He was feeling pain inside for you while he fought. I know he was too kind. I''m glad we could fight with you at the end."
Zabuza ripped off his bandages that were over his mouth, using his teeth.
"Yes, punk, it's as you say, after all..." Zabuza said, "Shinobi are human too. Maybe it's impossible to become an emotionless tool. I've lost."
I looked at Haku's body.
'In a way...he's lucky,' I thought, 'He left this cruel world.'
"Hey kid, give me a kunai knife," Zabuza said to Naruto.
"...here," Naruto said, tossing the knife at him.
Zabuza caught the knife in his mouth, and immediately went after Gatou.
"Enough! Take them down!" Gatou shouted, running to his group.
Zabuza skilfully ran through the group, cutting down men left and right as he chased after the short man.
'...amazing,' I thought.
Zabuza chased Gatou to the edge of the bridge, successfully stabbing the man, only to get stabbed in the back by Gatou's men. Unfortunately, that stab in Gatou's chest wasn't enough to kill him.
"If your so anxious to join your friend, you go ahead, alone!" Gatou shouted at him.
"Unfortunately, I don't intend on going to the same place as Haku," Zabuza said, turning to Gatou with multiple weapons sticking out of his back.
"W-What?! Pretending to be so tough..!" Gatou said, backing up as Zabuza walked towards him.
"You're going to hell with me!" Zabuza said, "It's no big deal, when the Demon of the Hidden Mists Village dies and goes to hell, he can become a real demon. Look forward to it! I'll let you find out for sure if I'm a cute little demon or not in hell!"
Zabuza grabbed the kunai that was impaled in Gatou's chest, with his mouth, and slashed the man across the chest before pushing him off the bridge.
A loud splash was heard.
Gatou was dead.
Zabuza glared at the group of men, who immediately parted ways to make a path. Zabuza dropped the kunai, and attempted to walk over to Haku.
"Now...it's goodbye, Haku," He said, "Thank you, for everything...I'm sorry."
Zabuza collapsed.
Naruto looked away for a moment.
"Don't look away," Kakashi said, "It's the end for a man who lived fiercely."
I looked at Kakashi, who gave me the same look before we both looked back.
"...Sasuke's alive because Haku didn't want to kill him. But, Haku died to save Zabuza...and Zabuza is about to die..." I said, "...the world really is twisted..."
"Oi, you guys are way too calm!" One of them men told us.
"Your boss is dead! Just leave already!" I shouted.
"Kyoko!" Kakashi scolded.
"Darn Ninja! Killing our source of money!" another one of them said.
"Now that it's come to this, we have no choice but destroy the town, and take everything valuable!" another one said.
"Shoot, this isn't good!" Kakashi said.
"Kakashi Sensei! Don't you have Jutsu that could wipe them all out?" Naruto asked.
"That's impossible, I've used too much Chakra!" Kakashi said.
"Kyoko, can't you?" Naruto asked.
"You want me to die or something? I'm out of Chakra!" I told him.
They began to charge at us.
An arrow was shot, landing at the front's feet.
We looked behind us.
Inari was there, holding a crossbow and a little wok helmet. Behind him was the entire townsfolk.
They were all armed, not with proper weapons, but if they know how to use a broom, then it's a weapon.
"Enemies who come any closer to the island, with all the might of all the island's people will not be allowed to live!" One of the villagers shouted, as everyone else shouted in agreement.
"Inari!" Naruto exclaimed.
"The town!" I said in surprise.
"Hehe, heroes always arrive late to the scene!" Inari grinned.
"Alright, I'm gonna help too!" Naruto said, making shadow clones.
Kakashi stood in front of me.
"You fought well," Kakashi praised, "But you've lost too much chakra, stay down for now."
Kakashi created shadow clones with whatever chakra he had left, joining Naruto.
We out numbered Gatou's team. Our team ran after them, scaring them off the bridge to a boat that was waiting for them.
We cheered in victory.
I noticed Kakashi walking over to Zabuza.
"Can I see...his face once more?" Zabuza asked.
Kakashi nodded and carried Zabuza over to Haku.
I noticed the weather change. I looked up, it had started to snow.
"...Haku, are you crying?" Zabuza wondered.
Kakashi laid him down next to Haku.
Zabuza looked at Haku with a smile.
"You were always by my side...at the very least I can be at your side til the very end," Zabuza said.
He struggled to move his hand, but was able to move it to Haku's face.
"If possible...I'd like to go to the same place as you..." Zabuza said, taking his last breath.
The sun shined from the clouds, lighting the two.
I walked over to Zabuza's sword and picked it up.
"That's not going home with us," Kakashi told me.
"It's not," I told him, looking at the sword, "It doesn't belong in Konoha."
~.~
We buried Zabuza and Haku side by side on a cliff. With the giant sword, I planted it between the two graves.
I played the violin as we gave them our wishes, giving them somewhat of a proper funeral.
After we visited the graves, we prepared to leave.
"Going so soon?" Tazuna asked.
"Yeah," Kakashi said, "We stayed longer than we intended."
"Kyoko-Nee-chan!"
I look to see Inari running towards me.
"I have something for you!" Inari told me, "But you have to close your eyes."
I looked at him suspiciously before closing my eyes. I felt him place something in the side of my face, on my ear. I pulled out a kunai to look at what he did. He place a small blue flower on my ear.
"Aw, that's sweet," I told him, "I got something for you too, close your eyes."
He smiled and did what I said. I placed a light kiss on his forehead. He blushed but smiled.
"Eh, why does Kyoko get something but not me?" Naruto complained.
"Hey, the bridge is named after you, what more do you want?" I told him.
"We better get going if we want to get back before the sun sets,"Kakashi told us.
We nodded. I looked back to say bye but saw Inari's face, he looked like he was gonna cry.
"Don't worry, we'll come back to visit," I told him.
"You know, it's okay to cry," Naruto to the boy, Inari shook his head.
"T-that's okay, I'm not gonna. Why don't you?" He stuttered.
Naruto turned around, back facing the boy.
"That's alright, no reason to," he said as he started walking.
I waved bye and walked with Naruto. Inari had years streaming down his face, Naruto doing the same.
"Geez..." I sighed.
I looked ahead to see Kakashi smirking at me.
"...what?" I asked.
"You've got a soft spot for kids," he told me.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I told him.
"Says the person who just kissed that child's forehead," Sasuke said.
"Who? What happened?" I said in an oblivious tone.
"Kyoko-nee-chan!" Naruto mocked, imitating Inari, earning him a hit behind the head.
Sakura and Kakashi snickered.
"Say anything when we get back and I'll make sure your corpses are well hidden," I assured.
~.~
This one was a little longer than the other chapters :)
I hope you enjoyed~
Signing off,
Bluebirb